Hydroelectric power unit



J. KALIX HYDROELECTRIC POWER UNIT Dec. 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31, 1945 Dem 16, 1952 Filed Aug. 31, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jbhn Kw/ix Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES ATE N T OFFICE.

HYDROELECTRIC POWER" UNIT John Kaiix, Day-ton, Ohio; Theresa Kalix executrix' ofsaid John Kalix, deceased (Granted under the act of March 3,- 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 8'70 0. G. 757) 4 Claims.

The invention describedherein may be manufacturedand used by or forthe Government for governmental purposes, withoutpayment tome of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates generally to hydroelectric power units but more I particularly to an improved type of water turbine and'means forcontrollingthe same;

One object of the invention is toprovide a turbine in Whichhydraulic thrust is eliminated by the compensation of pressures upon the runner blades.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turbine in which the diameter of the rotors may be reduced and consequently the weight and size of its casing without loss of power and efficiency.

Another object of the invention is to effect greater efl'iciency, economy in cost of construction, and space reduction, stability, ease of erection, and reduction of upkeep for turbine power units.

With the foregoing and other objects'in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, theinvention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter de-- scribed and claimed, itbeing understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing. from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the figures in which like parts are designated by similar reference characters:

Figure 1 is a top planpartially sectionized view of the improved turbine equipped with double runners mounted on vertical shafts;

Figure 2 is a partially sectionized end elevation of the improved turbine equipped with double runners mounted on vertical shafts, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partially sectionized side elevation of the improved turbine equipped with double runners mounted on vertical shafts, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Figure'l;

Figure 4 is a sectionized plan view showing the transmissionassembly,the section being taken on the lined-4 of Figure 2.

Briefly stated, the power apparatus described herein comprises a turbine iniwhich the runners are constructed with a central hub having blades with opposite stream deflecting surfaces mounted on either side thereof.

The hub is adapted to divide the impelling stream into two sections and the opposite reaction of ,the blade surfaces functions to eliminate hydraiili'c thrust on the runner shaft.

The turbine may be constructed with either double or single runners mounted on either horizontal or vertical shafts, and the impelling stream may be controlled by either a pivoted gate mounted within the draft tube, or by slidably movable gates mounted within the throat of the turbine. In either construction the impelling stream is controlled by means adapted to vary the quantity of flow through the runner channels.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral It indicates the concrete foundation which is providedwith a hollow interior adapted to contain the casing H of the double or twin runner turbine. The casing H which surrounds each of the runners l2 and l2 and converges to a single circular entrance opening [3' isprovided with a flange M to which=is-attached the flange [5 of entrance tube The casing l I includes oppositely spiraled walls I1 and Ill forming two spiral supply scrolls defining channels [8 and I8 which are elliptical in cross-section and of progressively decreasing cross-sectional area and open between walledges [9- on their inner surfaces about dual runners E2 and l2. Wall edges I9 and [9' are themselves bearingsurfaces for the runner rings Zil and 2t which will be more fully described below. As viewed along the common center plane shown in Fig. l, the supply scrolls are attached at their larger ends to the supply tube or inlet conduit liiby which they are fed and are initially divergent and then spiraled symmetrically toward each other about the runners l2 and [2. The inlet conduit it, as extended by scrolls I1 and I1", is in effect a channel divided centrally by walls 25 and 2! into channel branches l8 and i8 defined by the scrolls. Scrolls IT and Il include fixed guide vanes I26 positioned between the walls of the scroll and across the opening between bearing surfaces It; These guide vanes l2t serveto deflect the fluid flow tangentially of the runners I 2 and I2 as that flow leaves the scrolls. The path of the actuating fluid of the turbineis through inlet conduit It, then equally divided between the inlet channel branches IS, iii of the two scrolls, across guide vanes 129, through the openings between walls or bearing surfaces. 59, through the runners l2 and I2 into delivery chambers or outlet channel branches and thence into a common outlet conduit 22, 32'. The delivery chambers or outlet channel branches are also defined by casing ll contiguous to the supply scrolls and generally in planes parallel to the common center plane of the scrolls.

Runners: l2 and 1-2 are identical and include runner shafts 33 and 39' journaled in bearings 31, 31', 38 and 38' in casing II and extending substantially normal to the common center plane of the supply scrolls and centered in the annular passageways formed by the annular bearing surfaces I9 on the inner sides of the scrolls.

To the flange 23 is attached a specially constructed valve casing or elbow 24 which is comprised of upper and lower sections 25 and 26, respectively, provided with flanges 21, 28, 29 and 33. The sections 25 and 26 are united by bolting together the flanges 28 and 29. The elbow 24 is bolted to the flange 23 of the casing H and to a flange 3| of a tubular outlet section 32 which is formed as the frustum of a cone and is mounted within the concrete foundation at the inner end of the conically shaped outlet channel 33.

The casing H as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is provided with circular openings 34 and 34 above the location of the runners l2 and [2. These openings are closed by circular cover plates 35 and 35 which are provided with flanges 36 and 35 and have centrally positioned shaft bearings 31 and 37. The cover plates 35 and 35' are bolted to the casing and may be removed when it is necessary to provide access to the runners or to remove the same. The bottom of the casing is provided with footstep bearings 38 and 38' beneath the bearings 3'! and 31 in the cover plates 35 and 35. On these footstep bearings 38 and 38 are mounted the runner shafts 39 and 39 on which are keyed the runners l2 and 12. The runners l2 and I2 include fusiform hubs 89 which taper symmetrically from enlarged central portions to the narrow ends and which are keyed on runner shafts 39 and 39'. The runners also include elongated symmetrical blades 56 mounted on the hubs 89 radially thereof with their major dimensions extending along the runner shafts, and runner rings surrounding and fixed to the exteriors of the blades between the enlarged center portion of the hubs and the ends of the blades. The runners are so positioned in the annular passageways that the enlarged center portions of the hubs equally divide the flow from the supply scrolls and so that the blades extend into both of the delivery chambers or outlet channel branches at each runner. Runner rings 23 are grooved exteriorly on the surfaces which bear against bearing surfaces l9 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These grooves permit the contacting bearing surfaces l9 and at 20 and 23 to be relatively extensive to stabilize the runners and at the same time to have a minimum amount of friction. The presence of runner rings 20 and both increase the strength of the runners and compel all fluid flow to pass through the runners and between the blades thereof so as to prevent power losses which would result if part of the flow were permitted to by-pass the runners.

The elbow which comprises sections 25 and 25, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is provided with split bearings 50 and 52 formed at the juncture of their central flanges 28 and 29, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. These bearings support a shaft 42 to which is attached an arcuately shaped valve gate 43 adapted to be moved out of a bulged portion 44 of the elbow 24 into the path of the outgoing stream or vice versa, by the rotation of chain operated sprocket wheels 15 and 45 attached to the ends of the shaft 42.

The runner shafts 39 and 39 project upwardly through the bearings 31 and 31' in the cover plates and 35, and to their upper ends are keyed the gears 46 and 46, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. These gears and 48 mesh with pinions 41 and 41, one of which is keyed to the generator shaft 48 which projects through bearing 4| in the top or cover plate 50. The pinion 41' which functions as an idler is mounted on a pinion shaft 43 which projects downwardly from the top or cover plate 50 of the housing 5 I.

The gears 43 and 46' and pinions 41 and 41' are contained within the housing 5| formed on the top of the runner casing II by the rim 52 and the upper cover plate 55. The cover plate is provided with a bearing 4! for the generator shaft 48. The rim 52 is welded or otherwise attached to angles 54 and 54 which are bolted respectively to the top of the runner casing I l and to the cover plate 50.

The flow of water through the turbine, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, which is provided with the arcuately shaped valve gate 43 may be controlled automatically by the mechanism which is described in detail in pending application Serial No. 546,461, filed July 25, 1944, which issued into Patent No. 2,435,968 on February 17, 1948.

The turbine shown is equipped with runners having double sets of symmetrically formed blades which divide the impelling stream entering the throat of the turbine through the intake channel and deflect the resulting streams laterally into the outlet channels. The division and lateral deflection of the impelling stream prevents lateral thrusts on the runner shaft and thereby provides a smoothly rotating runner and consequently a turbine of high efiiciency which is substantially free from vibration.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A power transmitting system comprisin a fluid operated prime mover including twin runner means mounted within a casing; the said casing defining substantially planar spiral inlet channels with converging walls, paired substantially planar outlet channels immediately flanking each inlet channel and annular interconnecting passageways between each inlet channel and its flanking outlet channels defined by circular portions of the casing; both spiral inlet channels being attached to a common inlet conduit also defined by the casing; the said outlet conduits being connected to a common outlet conduit also defined by the casing; runner shafts projecting through bearings in the casing, the said channels along the axis of gyration of the inlet channel and the said passageways axially thereof; each of the said runner means including a fusiform hub and elongated symmetrical blades connected thereto parallel to the runner shaft on each side of the central section thereof and being mounted on the runner shaft with the blades extending in the said passageways through the inlet channel and into the said flanking outlet channels; power take-off means attached to both of the said runner shafts; and valve means including a gate valve in said common outlet conduit for controlling the speed of the flow of fluid in the said conduits and channels; the said inlet channels, runner means, runner shafts and hubs being plural in number with the said plural inlet channels being attached to the same said inlet conduit.

2. A power transmitting system comprising a fluid operated prime mover including runner means mounted within a casing, the said casing defining an inlet channel and a curved dividing wall in the inlet channel dividing the said inlet channel into two oppositely spiraled inlet channel branches, the said spiraled inlet channel branches being initially divergent with respect to each other and then symmetrically spiraled inwardly and toward each other in a common central plane, the said inlet channel branches being of progressively decreasing cross sectional area; the said casing also defining an outlet channel having branches between which each of the said spiraled inlet channel branches is positioned, each of the said outlet channel branches being positioned substantially in a plane parallel to the said common central plane and contiguous to one of the said spiraled inlet channel branches; the said casing also defining an annular passageway perpendicular to the said common center plane, the said annular passageway interconnecting each inlet channel branch and its two contiguous outlet channel branches and being centered on the orbit of the spiral of the respective inlet channel branch; a runner shaft mounted approximately in the center of each annular passageway and perpendicular to the said common center plane; bearing means in the casing supporting each of the said runner shafts; a fusiform hub having an enlarged center portion keyed on each of the said runner shafts with the said enlarged center portion of the hub being centered on the respective spiraled inlet channel branch; symmetrical blades on each hub extending radially along each runner shaft into each of the said outlet channel branches; runner rings surrounding each hub and its blades and being aifixed to the exterior edges of the blades, one of the said rings being between the enlarged center portion of each hub and each end of the blades thereon; the said rings being in frictional contact with those portions of the said casing defining at once the separation between the said inlet and outlet branches and the an" nular passageway so that the resulting fluid path from inlet to outlet channels must lie through and across the said blades; fixed guide vanes in each of the said inlet channel branches proximate to and surrounding each said annular passageway; and valve means in the outlet channel for controlling the speed of the runner shafts.

3. A twin runner hydraulic turbine of the peripheral supply, opposed end delivery type comprising a pair of identical runners having spaced parallel runner shafts; a casing defining a tapered supply scroll of elliptical cross section spiraled about each runner, the runner shafts being journaled in bearings in the casing; outlet chambers at each end of each runner contiguous to the supply scrolls and each containing an end of the runner; the said supply scrolls being connected to a common inlet channel; the said outlet chambers of each runner being interconnected about one portion of the supply scroll in each instance; the said interconnected outlet chambers being connected to a common outlet conduit; each runner including a fusiform hub with an enlarged central portion and tapering to each end mounted on the runner shaft with the enlarged portion at the center of the supply scroll so as to equally divide the liquid flow, elongated blades radially arranged on the hub and ex tending parallel to the shaft, and a runner ring surrounding the blades on each side of the said enlarged central portion of the hub and bearing on that adjacent part of the casing forming the edge of the supply scroll so as to compel the flow to cross the blades; guide vanes in the supply scroll directing all flow tangentially of the runners; and valve means in the common outlet conduit for controlling the flow therein.

4. A twin runner hydraulic turbine of the peripheral supply, opposed end delivery type, comprising a pair of identical runners; a casing defining an inlet supply scroll substantially normal to and spiraled about each runner atthe center thereof, an outlet chamber on each side of and contiguous to each supply scroll including an end of the runner, the two outlet chambers containing the ends of one runner being interconnected about each supply scroll, each set of interconnected outlet chambers being connected to a common outlet conduit, the two supply scrolls being connected to a common inlet conduit; guide vanes in the supply scrolls adjacent to the runners; each identical runner including a shaft journaled in bearings in the casing, a fusiform hub keyed thereon, elongated blades arranged radially on the hub and extending principally along the length of the shaft and runner rings surrounding and attached to the blades; the said fusiform hub being tapered from an enlarged central portion to narrow ends; a runner ring bearing at its circumference against the casing at each division between a supply scroll and a contiguous outlet chamber and having a continuous groove in the bearing surface thereof; the enlarged central portion of each hub being exactly centered on its respective supply scroll; the two runner shafts being separated and parallel and interconnected by gears at an end; and a valve means in the common outlet conduit for controlling the runner speed.

JOHN KALIX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 783,761 Sparks Feb. 28, 1905 885,553 Wheeler 1 Apr. 21, 1908 891,350 Mascord June 23, 1908 1,457,170 Huguenin May 29, 1923 1,494,842 Huguenin 1 May 20, 1924 1,685,740 Earle Sept. 25, 1928 1,701,366 Herr et al Feb. 5, 1929 1,872,165 Moody Aug. 16 1932 2,223,703 Potez Dec. 3, 1940 2,366,732 Kalix Jan. 9, 1945 2,424,039 Landesberg July 15, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,123 France Nov. 29, 1921 327,160 Germany Oct. 7, 1920 460,791 Germany June 5, 1928 542,929 France May 24, 1922 

